Destination Life Cycle Research Articles

Linking Tourism Development with Residents’ Well-being through Livelihood Capitals in Northern Tanzania

This study aimed at evaluating the link between tourism development, well-being and residents’ access to livelihood capitals when confounding variables are controlled. The study used the quasi-experimental design. Well-being condition was determined through the Livelihood Capital Index after controlling for socio-economic covariates among matched samples of 413 tourism beneficiaries and 421 non-beneficiary agro-pastoralists living in three gateway tourism destination communities namely Burunge, Lake Natron and Loliondo in Northern Tanzania. Selected communities experienced a development stage of tourism destination life cycle. This study largely relied on analysis of quantitative data by calculating the Livelihood Capital Index. However, qualitative data from 24 key informants, through Focus Group Discussions complemented the quantitative data. The study established that linkage between tourism development and well-being is facilitated with residents’ access to livelihood capitals. Basing on difference in the average treatment effect of 0.087 (8.7%) in the livelihood capital index, which was statistically significant (p <0.001), the study concluded that residents’ well-being as a function of livelihood capital status is enhanced more with tourism than without tourism, especially in financial, social, physical and human capitals. Therefore, the study recommended that efforts to sustain tourism development in enabling resident access to livelihood capitals that underpin their well-being should strike a balance between residents’ need for cultivation and grazing at one hand and tourism investment on communal land on the other hand.

Optimal carrying capacity in rural tourism: Crowding, quality deterioration, and productive inefficiency

This paper introduces a novel framework for characterizing destination overcrowding in rural tourism using a production approach. We build upon destination life cycle, carrying capacity, and consumer preference theories to characterize optimal levels of overnight stays in the presence of disutility from crowding. Using panel data for rural tourism in Spanish provinces, we model crowding non-linearly as a demand shifter within a service production function. To deal with plausible endogeneity, we use a control function approach within a Stochastic Frontier regression. Consistent with our theoretical predictions, we show there is a non-linear concave relationship between overnight stays and crowding. We calculate optimal carrying capacity levels (turning points) for each province and illustrate which regions are exhibiting negative externalities from overcrowding.

Qatar's FIFA World Cup odyssey: A quest for legacy transforming a small nation into a global destination

This study delves into the profound impact of mega-events on a destination's perception, focusing notably on Qatar's hosting experience during the FIFA World Cup 2022. Employing a qualitative longitudinal research approach, data is drawn from a variety of sources including Scopus articles, international studies, tourism records, newspapers, and interviews with diverse stakeholders such as visitors, tourism experts, executives, and government officials. Through an inductive content analysis of this extensive dataset, the authors identify key influencing factors. They meticulously examine a decade-long evolution using assessments from independent travel and tourism rating organizations alongside various metrics. The findings reveal a significant uptick in Qatar's allure and inbound tourism. Factors contributing to this surge are systematically categorized, with transportation and events infrastructure, hospitality and accommodation facilities, and media exposure emerging as consistent themes across host nations. Additionally, contextual factors like security/safety, culture/heritage, and diversity are highlighted for their pivotal role in shaping a destination's image. This research underscores how mega-events act as catalysts for reshaping Qatar's destination identity and attracting inbound tourism, as evidenced by a range of indicators contingent upon maintaining both universal and contextual factors. It emphasizes the importance of a strategic vision that nurtures these factors over time, aligning with the destination's life cycle to forge a lasting legacy. Furthermore, the study illuminates how mega-events can bolster soft power for small countries lacking significant natural or historical attractions, providing valuable insights for policymakers and marketers to devise effective strategies.

Modernization of the Tourist Services Management System to Prevent Overtourism

Purpose: Development of a model of management of tourist services, which would allow to effectively counteract the negative consequences of overtourism and ensure the sustainable development of the tourism industry.
 Design/Method/Approach: An analytical method was used - the use of statistical data, scientific publications, official reports of tourist organizations to analyze the current state of the tourist market and identify the main problems related to overtourism. A case study method for conducting a detailed analysis of specific examples of tourist areas that have been negatively affected by overtourism and evaluating the measures taken.
 Findings: It is proposed to consider overtourism as a complex problem caused by the uncontrolled growth of the number of travelers in popular territories, which leads to the deterioration of the quality of life of residents and tourist dissatisfaction, the destruction of cultural and natural heritage, environmental damage, infrastructure problems, deterioration. The definition of tourismophobia as an extreme manifestation of overtourism is substantiated; a conceptual model of their relationship is proposed; global approaches to the assessment and prevention of overtourism are generalized to improve the management of tourist services in conditions of excessive tourism. Strategies for regulating overtourism at various stages of the life cycle of tourist destinations have been formed - a strategy for stimulating the development of tourism, a strategy for preventive response, a strategy for limiting tourist activity; a mechanism for managing tourist services based on strategies to overcome overtourism in mature tourist destinations was formed and substantiated; a set of measures to prevent overtourism in tourist areas is proposed.
 Theoretical Implications: The theoretical significance of the research results lies in clarifying and supplementing the understanding of the essence of overtourism and tourismophobia, the accumulation of scientific knowledge in the field of studying the consequences of overtourism for the host territories.
 Practical Implications: The practical significance of the study lies in the modernization of the system of assessment and prevention of overtourism in mature tourist destinations. According to the results of the developed mechanism of regulation of tourist services, taking into account the strategies for overcoming overtourism, it is possible to respond preventively to the main risks of overtourism problems. The author's proposed structural models of the impact of tourism on the population and perception of the destination by visitors, a set of measures to prevent overtourism can be used as a tool for planning the development of tourism.
 Originality/Value: The conceptual and terminological apparatus of overtourism is specified, the aspects of its negative impact on destinations are determined, and the world experience of assessing the impact of overtourism on the host territory is summarized. Strategies for regulating overtourism at various stages of the life cycle of tourist destinations have been formed and, on this basis, proposals for the development and improvement of the mechanism for managing tourist services to prevent overtourism have been formulated.
 Research Limitations/Future Research: The problem of overtourism has turned from local to global in recent years. To solve it, further research and the formation of a set of measures are necessary, which takes into account the interests of all subjects of the tourism and entertainment industry, and will also allow to preserve historical, cultural and natural monuments that constitute the heritage of the entire world society.
 Paper Type: Conceptual
 JEL Classification: F20, L14, R58

The life cycle and competitive position of tourism destinations: a global empirical approach

ABSTRACT The competitiveness of tourism destinations depends on their degree of development or maturity. This article uses cluster analysis methods to establish the position in the life cycle of destinations in a pool of 154 countries. The article also explores their evolution between 2007 and 2017 doing a static comparative exercise. The position in the life cycle is determined by using confidence intervals for the means of the main variables. Following a recent and innovative methodology, thresholds are proposed that could potentially allow for a change of phase in the life cycle. Moreover, the article examines the main determinants of the competitiveness of the different destination groups as a function of their life-cycle position.

Time-variant destination lifecycle model and the coactive development process

ABSTRACT The central tenet of the tourism-area lifecycle (TALC) rests on the idea of change. This paper utilized latent-growth curve modelling (LGCM) to synthesize a time-variant lifecycle model that quantifies changes in TALC-based hotel development. We accommodated the model with cross-lagged analysis to draw causal inferences. Based on data collected from 197 economies from UNWTO, findings reveal that the onset and growth rate of hotel development are associated with growth trajectories of tourist arrivals and overnight stays, which are subsequently associated with the growth trajectory of travel expenditure. A reciprocal influence between hotel development and tourist arrivals is also evident, suggesting a coevolutionary process underpinning TALC. This study adds to the nascent concept of multiplicity tourism-area lifecycles to denote an intricate web of linkages among different lifecycle traits of a destination. It improvises the concept of coactive development and paves the way for destination coevolution to articulate evolutionary interactions between tourists and tourism operators through reciprocal changes.

Impact of Backwater Tourism on Environment

Houseboat tourism is gaining popularity in Kerala's backwaters and interconnected navigable canals. Houseboats are the backbone of the Kerala Backwater Tourism Industry, and their physical and morphological characteristics make them less than ideal for supporting tourism operations. The number and variety of houseboats have, however, shed light on the state's natural and cultural resources, highlighting their vulnerability and the need for more cautious destination lifecycle management and appropriate government intervention to ensure their long-term viability. The research shows that houseboat tourism in Kerala is still in its early phases of development as a tourist product, but there is already evidence of change that raises both positive and negative sustainability concerns.

Revisiting and integrating residents' perceptions towards tourism development in urban areas

This study sought to determine residents' perceptions of tourism development and the subsequent impacts of tourism in South Africa. Tourism's impacts on residents have been a topical issue in existing literature given that they can offer guidance for planners in terms of development trajectories. This is because tourism is widely associated with both negative and positive impacts on residents, depending on the destination's life cycle and other factors. Thus, Soweto, as South Africa's most visited township and a place where tourism is seen as a strategic tool for socioeconomic development, was selected as an ideal case study for this research. A positivist, quantitative research approach was employed in targeting residents (n=241) using a systematic random sampling method. Data was analyzed through IBM SPSS 24, and key findings revealed that, on the whole, residents are involved directly or indirectly in tourism and generally support its development. Additionally, it was found that residents have largely positive feelings towards tourism and its development in the area although nuances were there regarding tourism recently highlighting the economic gaps between the poor and the rich. The government was also criticized for failing to increase education about tourism among residents so that they could effectively benefit from it. It was also suggested that tourism compromises the authenticity of heritage and cultural activities in the area whilst also resulting in the increased prices of goods and services for locals.

Post-disaster tourism development and scenario planning for the quality of life of residents

Desarrollo del turismo post-catástrofe y planificación de escenarios Para la calidad de vida de los residentesResumenPropósitoEste estudio tiene por objetivo explorar la influencia del desarrollo del turismo post-catástrofe en la calidad de vida (CdV) objetiva de los residentes del condado de Wenchuan, simular la tendencia a largo plazo del desarrollo del turismo tras la catástrofe y la CdV basándose en tres escenarios políticos propuestos, y formular algunas sugerencias prácticas para promover el desarrollo del turismo sostenible.o.Diseño/metodología/enfoqueEste estudio utiliza el enfoque de dinámica de sistemas para desarrollar un modelo de dinámica de sistemas denominado “turismo-economía-medioambiente-vida” (TEMV) utilizando cuatro subsistemas: “el subsistema económico”, “el subsistema turístico”, “el subsistema medioambiental” y “el subsistema de vida”.ConclusionesLos resultados muestran que la influencia del desarrollo del turismo post-catástrofe en la CdV objetiva es compleja. Basándose en la teoría de Butler sobre el ciclo de vida del destino, la influencia del turismo post-catástrofe en la CdV objetiva presenta un cambio no lineal estrechamente vinculado a las etapas de desarrollo de los destinos turísticos. Se demuestra que el índice de CdV aumentó después de una disminución inicial en la primera etapa (2009-2013) y luego disminuyó en la etapa posterior (2013-2019). Las simulaciones de TEMV basadas en tres escenarios diferentes muestran que la actual trayectoria de desarrollo del turismo no es ideal. El escenario de sinergia, que destaca la importancia del desarrollo armonioso del TEMV, es el escenario óptimo.Originalidad/valorEste estudio llena la brecha existente en la literatura sobre la influencia del desarrollo del turismo post-catástrofe en la calidad de vida (CdV) objetiva desde la perspectiva de la dinámica de sistemas. La modelización del desarrollo turístico y la CdV objetiva contribuirá a una comprensión integral de si el desarrollo turístico puede mejorar, y cómo, la CdV de los residentes en las zonas afectadas por catástrofes

Tourists’ psychological reactions and destination attachment following an earthquake in Jiuzhaigou, China

ABSTRACT Few tourism studies have focused on tourists who have been victims of a disaster. Their destination attachment has implications for re-establishment of market confidence and resilience. Structural equation modelling of data from 242 tourists who were victims of the Jiuzhaigou earthquake was used to explore their feelings of attachment. The results confirm that earthquake-affected tourists can generate positive emotional attachment toward the destination. Destination attachment is related to such factors as positive emotions, social support, and severity of disaster exposure. Positive emotions mediate the relationships between severity of disaster exposure, social support and destination attachment. It is revealed that experiences of a disaster event can be a turning point, prompting positive change in tourist-destination relationships across the destination life-cycle. Implications for emergency management and for post-disaster market recovery are presented.

SIKLUS HIDUP (LIFECYCLE) PADA EKOWISATA BUKIT CEMENG SIDEMBUNUT BANGLI

Bukit Cemeng ecotourism has an interesting attraction related to nature and interesting photo spots. As one of the ecotourism destinations in Bangli, Bukit Cemeng faces challenges from the beginning to the present, which are related to the pandemic. In the life cycle of a tourist destination, there are phases starting from the exploration phase, community involvement, development to the decline and rejuvenation phase. This study uses a descriptive qualitative method with the researcher as the main instrument conducting research in the field and observing. The research data was carried out by direct interviews with the Bukit Cemeng Ecotourism manager, literature review and primary data search. The research data is based on literature studies from books, journal articles related to the Destination life cycle. Research activities were carried out in 2021 and were continued in April to June 2022. The expected results of this activity are related to the fulfillment of the life cycle of tourist destinations, the time period for each phase is fulfilled in Bukit Cemeng Ecotourism, especially when this research occurs. In addition to fulfilling the life cycle, this research to obtain alternative strategies for ecotourism in dealing with current conditions. Such as the strategy of making a jogging track as an additional attraction for Bukit Cemeng ecotourism.

Study on the Impact of Rural Tourism Behavior Development on Ecological Environment in Zhejiang Province

With the progress of economy, people have more and more leisure time and higher income. More and more people choose rural tourism and experience rural life when they choose to travel. This paper takes Zhejiang rural tourism as an example, based on the theory of complex ecosystem and Butler’s theory of tourism destination life cycle. First of all, through literature research, find out the development status of rural tourism in China and elaborate its influencing factors and finally put forward targeted suggestions. Secondly, through on-the-spot investigation, taking the villages in Zhejiang Province as the investigation objects, the relevant information is obtained through questionnaire survey and other methods. Finally, according to the results of literature research and field survey, taking Guzhu village and Jiaxing City in Zhejiang Province as examples, the tourism data over the years show that rural tourism can promote employment, provide multiple jobs, and improve farmers’ income. The proportion of rural tourism income in local tourism income has increased year by year. This paper discusses the impact of the development of rural tourism behavior on the ecological environment in Zhejiang Province and tries to find the perfect combination point of the coordinated development of rural tourism and environment.

Understanding Tourism Suppliers’ Resilience to Climate Change in a Rural Destination in Maine

ABSTRACT Supplier characteristics influence destination resilience to climate change, but there is limited research applying social resilience theories to this group. Using socio-ecological and psychology resilience theories, we examined how a group of rural, nature-based tourism suppliers enhanced their resilience to climate change. We conducted 17 interviews in the Bay of Machias, Maine, USA to examine how characteristics of tourism suppliers influenced their resilience to climate change. Despite facing socio-economic challenges, suppliers were taking action to adapt to their most pressing climate change threat, flooding, by leveraging their knowledge, skill sets, and social ties. This study suggests that leveraging resources, collaboration, and developing connections to places through livelihoods may enhance the resilience of rural tourism suppliers. We suggest that the framework used in this study has broader applicability to understanding how suppliers can build destination resilience to climate change; however, the destination life cycle phase must be incorporated into resilience considerations.

Applying Smarta to the analysis of tourist networks

The framework of the present study was the destination life cycle model, a classical model that describes the development of tourist destinations. We examined mass tourism in Benidorm based on tourist accommodation supply and demand statistics over the January 2016 to October 2018 period, provided by Spain's National Institute for Statistics. The objective was to analyze the life cycle and competitiveness of Benidorm's tourism system and interpret whether the tourism product was sustainable and at what stage in the cycle Benidorm is currently in. To do this, we used Smarta software, which, based on network analysis, enables to interpret the system's virtuous cycles and analyze causality by observing relationship patterns in the system's attractors, thus complementing typical processing based on causal maps and the study of social networks. The results obtained by this application (which has been developed by our research team) show six sets of attractors that mark the trends of the tourist system. Finally, the analysis of the significant variables of these attractors has helped us to justify that the tourist system of Benidorm is in the rejuvenation phase.

How Does Destination Image Evolve? Introducing the Co-creation of the Destination Image Approach

Abstract Although destination image is one of the most studied topics in tourism literature, little is known about how it is formed in the minds of people and how destination image evolves through destination life cycle stages. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to present a theoretical approach to the destination image formation process. In this conceptual paper, the co-created destination image (CoDI) approach was introduced. Co-creation and tourism area life cycle (TALC) approaches were used as the theoretical frameworks. The main elements of CoDI are interaction value, self-regulated image, and the co-creation process. Twelve CoDIs were developed for the four main stages of the TALC model—namely, exploration, development, stagnation, and decline. The CoDI approach shows that destination image formation evolves throughout the destination life cycle. Co-creation of the destination image is first introduced in this paper, which is used to explain how the image of destinations evolves.

Tourism knowledge: its creation and dissemination by region

ABSTRACT This study investigates regional similarities and differences in the tourism research knowledge domain, based on two decades of publications. The authors analysed co-citations in the reference lists of full-length articles published in Annals of Tourism Research (1998–2017) in relation to four regions: North America, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific and Oceania. The findings reveal a degree of regional fragmentation in the tourism research knowledge domain. Several wide discourses characterize the scope of tourism knowledge: authenticity and the tourist experience, backpacker tourism, consumer behaviour, destination life cycle, tourism impacts and resident attitudes, paradigms, performance approach, and volunteer tourism. The authors document the contribution of each region to these discourses. Implications of regional distinctions are discussed along with future research opportunities.

A Dynamic Tax Model Based on Destination Lifecycle for Sustainable Tourism Development

This study proposes a dynamic model for identifying the optimal amount of tourism taxes at the different stages of a destination’s lifecycle. Based on the Ramsey-Cass-Koopmans model of economic growth, we reformulate the Cobb-Douglas function to incorporate new variables to estimate the optimal level of tax that could maximize the total output of the tourism industry while maintaining below the critical point of the destination’s carrying capacity. We illustrate the model with an empirical study using time series data collected from 31 administrative regions in mainland China from 2000 to 2016. The results suggest that the proposed model has satisfactory goodness of fit, and the estimated tax amount was congruent with the trends of tourism development at the destinations. The study offers practical implications for destination policymakers.

Integrated Development of Health Tourism Under the Background of Rural Revitalization Strategy

This paper studies the integrated development of forest health tourism under the background of Rural Revitalization Strategy. Based on the tourism destination life cycle theory, tourism destination competitiveness theory and experience economy theory, this paper uses the linear function weighting method to establish a measurable evaluation standard of forest health development potential. This paper constructs the evaluation index system of forest health tourism development potential through Delphi method, determines the index weight combined with analytic hierarchy process, and establishes a practical comprehensive scoring model and evaluation grade. This paper uses the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method to evaluate the development potential of forest health tourism in three forest health bases: DWS National Forest Park, FJS National Nature Reserve and LYS National Forest Park.

The Destination Life Cycle Concept in Developing a Tourist Brand. Case of Mangystau of Kazakhstan

The article aims to find the relation of positioning of a tourist destination to the life cycle of a territory (TALC). The research methodology is based on the marketing studies conducted as a survey of experts who works with tourists in Mangystau area of Kazakhstan. On the basis of the studies a model of the tourist brand’s positioning was developed in accordance with the territory’s stage of development, mainly for those visitors who seek for new places, since the area’s nature has almost “wild” and unexplored places and many historical and cultural objects which are located precisely in the unmanned and impassable steppe. The area’s brand structure was elaborated in accordance with the McKinsey model to build an appropriate positioning of the destination due to a stage of its life cycle. The finding of this study suggested that the strategy of the Mangystau tourist brand should be based on its identification, attributes and its life cycle’s stages and be aimed at positioning related to nature and cultural traditions that identified as the most valuable tourist attractions. The research applied the psychographic personality classification system to propose the type of tourists for whom that territory will be especially attractive.

The Journey of Mapping the Entire Destination Lifecycle

The two destination life cycle models proposed by Plog (1974) and Butler (1980) have been recognizing by most of the tourism destination scholars. Questions tend to arise on the possible use of these models to map the entire destination life cycle from the beginning. Therefore, this study aims to discuss the possibility of entire lifespan of tourism destination by using the destination life cycle models from Plog and Butler. This research analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the models revealed from existing studies using critical inputs of the tourism industry. The main difference between the famous models, i.e. Butler and Plog lies in the authors' background and the approach of the different themes. Complexity factors such as multi-market, time boundaries, political agenda, market evolution/ access, mode of transportation, and technological innovation, makes it impossible to map the entire destination life cycle confidently. The ability to innovate reduces the relevancy of life cycle models. Therefore, the DMO needs to deal with the changes associated with increasing the destination's values to avoid stagnation or decline in stages.